Apparatus for producing illusory dramatic effects



(No Model.)

W. H. LYTELL. .APPARATUS FOR PEODUCING ILLUSO'RY DRAMATIG EFFECTS.

No. 498,668. Patented May v30, 1893.

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Inventor Tusnomus versus co.. Fumo-umu., WASHINGTON. n. c4

.l STATES' PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. LYTELLOF` PORTLAND, OREGON.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 498,668, dated May 30, 1893.

Application filed` September 24, 1892. Serial No. 446,857. (No model.) n

To @ZZ whom t may concern: A

Be itknown that I, WILLIAM H. LYTELL., a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at Portland, Multnomah county, State of Oregon, have invented a new and Improved Apparatus for Producing Illusory Dramatic Effects, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings as a part hereof.

The object of my present invention is to produce upon the dramatic/stage the effect of a whirlpool, to be used inappropriate theatrical performances, and tol have as realistic an appearance as can be given tothe same, and to this end I have' contrived the apparatus illustrated in the drawings referred to.

In the drawings, Figure (l) represents the setting of an appropriate scene incombination with my invention, and Fig. (2) is a vertical longitudinal sectional view.

Similar letters referto si milar parts throughout the several views.

. In Fig. 1, (A) represents a curtain painted with some appropriate mountain scenery.

At (b) I aflix a water pipe with numerous perforations in the side therefor for ejecting numerous small streams of water in imitation of a fall, such water being caught in a small tank or other receptacle shown in such figure in dotted lines (c), and provided with an outlet (d), also shown in dotted lines, for discharging said Water.;

vIn front of the receptacle (c) I place my apparatus shown in Fig. 2,'which consists of a small truck (c) on which is afxed a circular water tank (f) and two circular revolving frames (g, g), the latter revolving in opposite directions with respect to each other. In constructing this portion of my apparatussuch revolving frames (g, g) may be made of some suitable frame work covered with canvas or rubber sheeting (h, h) painted in imitation of Water, each of said frames being provided near the lower edge with a series of wheels (i) caused to run between the circular upper and lower tracks (j, j) fixed on said truck (c), and' each of said frames (g, g) being further provided at their lower ends with annular racks (lo) which co-act with and are operated by the cog wheel (l), and such cog Wheel being revolved by mechanism as shown at (m), or

, screen sections (19,19) adj usted so asto extend sidewise from about the center of my whirl- A ool a aratus, and in front of said screens (19,19) and whirlpool apparatus I place another screen (q) to hide the mechanism.

By taking a little pains in arranging the r.

`scenes and screens used in connection with my apparatus a very realistic effect can be produced, which may be used to good advantage in the production of drama and like plays. If desirable the tank (f) could even be made large enough that a person could jump into the same, thus adding to the startling effects produced by givingit the appearance of a lperson actually struggling in the water. It would also add to the effects intended to be produced by constructing the screen 1o in the form of a panoramic or moving screen, so as to simulate'iiowing water, represented by the dotted lines in Fig. 2.

Now what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A stage apparatus for the purposes specified substantially consisting of a receptacle for containing water, means for forcing air through the bottom of said receptacle for agitating Water contained therein, two or more frames g g adapted to be revolved about such receptacle and vmeans for revolving such frames in opposite directions substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. A stage apparatus for the purposes specified substantially consisting of a receptacle for containing water, means for forcing air through the bottom 'of said receptacle for agitating the water contained therein, two or more frames g g adapted to be revolved about such receptacle, means for revolving such frames in opposite directions and a suitable IOO appliance adapted to emit jets of steam between such frames g gf for the purposes set f forth, of a panoramic screen p operated by suitable means substantially as described.

4. A stage apparatus adapted to the purf for agitating Water poses described, yin combination, a truck e, having fixed thereon a receptacle f and tracks j j', circular frames g g provided with Wheels t' adapted to run on said tracksjj, means for revolving said frames, an appliance for forcing air through the bottom of said receptacle contained therein, and

an appliance for emitting jets of steam bei tween thev frames g g', all substantially as described.

Dated at Portland, Oregon, the 2d day of June, 1892.

WlLLIAM H. LYTELL.

Witnesses:l G. G. AMES,A

T. J G-EISLER. 

